The aim of this paper is to introduce the reader with the concept of civic education and the experiences of practitioners of extracurricular activity named “Civic education” in the school across Rijeka. The paper is based on the notion of civic education as a “concept that offers education to the youth to become responsible and active members of the society that will be able to act for common good as well as make informed and calculated decisions. (Baketa i Ćulum, 2015, str. 5). The paper is based on two basic units. The first unit offers theoretic analysis of civic education. It defines the concept of civic education, covers the ways of implementation and normative frameworks in European and national policies as well as studies that emphasize the importance of civic education. In the second unit, the paper presents methodology of the conducted study followed by the analysis of the acquired data. Fundamental research question of this master thesis is Which are the motivational reasons for the engagement of practitioners of the extracurricular activity of civic education and what their experiences suggest about certain key aspects of successfulness and challenges of its implementation?
In this paper, the answers to the fundamental research question are shown through seven specific questions. There were 12 research participants who are practitioners of extracurricular activity “Civic education” in the city of Rijeka. The study was conducted in May 2018 using qualitative method – focus groups. The acquired data suggest that the practitioners have recognized the extracurricular activity “civic education” as an area that enables them to act and educate new generation of socially responsible citizens that will be ready to unite Croatian society. They strive towards encouraging younger generations of their active participation in the future of our community so we can, with their emancipation, advance as a society. They deem civic education as the only way to save our society and nation.